Mail-box.



HNO. 890,766. PATENTED JUNE 16, 1908;

G. K. HANN. 7

MAIL BOX. APPLIOATIQN FILED JAN. z. 1907.

nu Nomus Ferse.; co., wAsmNaraN. u. c

CHESTER K. HANN., OF COLUMBUS, OIIIO.

MAIL-BOX.

Speciication of Letters Patent.

Patented .rune 1c, 190s.

Application filed January 2, 1907. Serial No. 350,525.

To all lwhom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHESTER K. HANN, citizen of the United States, residing at Oolumbus, in the county of Franklin and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mail-Boxes, oi which the following is a speciiication.

The invention relates to mail boxes adapted more especially for rural mail service, and the main object of the invention is to provide a mail box that is readily accessible to the mail carrier for collecting and delivering mail, yet so constructed as to prevent unauthorized persons from tampering with the mail delivered thereto.

A further object is to provide a strong, durable and practically water-prooi box that can be manufactured cheaply and sold at a moderate price.

Brieiiy, the invention is embodied in a combination comprising a main receptacle provided with an exterior cover, a supplementary receptacle or posting tray forming a cover within the main receptacle, and a tray to receive the mail and movable with res ect to a Wall oi said supplementary receptac e to permit the insertion of the mail but preclude access of the hand to the space below said wall and tray. i

An embodiment of the invention is herein particularly shown and described but the invention is not confined in its practical embodiment to the gecise Jforms or arrangement ofthe parts s own.

In the accompanying drawings-Figure'l is a front elevation of the device; Fig. 2 is a sectional view on the line x-x of Fig. 1 Fig. 3 is a view similar to that oi Fig. 2 but with the lid ofthe box in open position Fig. 4 is a sectional view on the line g/-y of Fig. l showing the lid raised and the inner receptacle in position for removing the mail, and Fig. 5 is a sectional view on the line 2 2 of Fig. 2.

In the several views l designates a main receptacle provided with an exterior lid or cover 2 pivoted on pins 2a, 2a at the rear edge oi the receptacle.

3 designates a sup lementary receptacle or posting tray locate in the upper forward part of the main receptacle. Said supplementary rece tacle comprises a movable horizontal wa 3a and a movable vertical wall 3b extending the entire length of the main receptacle. The supplementary receptacle 3 is pivoted at 3C, 3C to swing in the main receptacle and the horizontal wall 3fL thereof Jforms a partial interior cover for the main receptacle, said cover being movable to permit the removal of mail matter deposited in the box by the carrier. A slot 4 is provided in the wall 3fL to receive a hasp 4 secured to the iront wall of the main receptacle whereby the supplementary receptacle can be locked against movement.

5 designates a inail-receiving tray located at the rear ofthe main receptacle and pivoted onl the pins 2a, 2a that support the cover 2. The two divergent walls 5at and 5b of the tray 5 extend longitudinally the entire length oi the main receptacle and have a width substantially equal to the distance between tlie rear wall of the main rece )tacle and the upper edge of the vertical wall 3b of the tray 3, so that as the tray is moved on its pivots 2a, 2a the open side thereof moves past and in close proximity to the wall 3b of the tray 3 and thus permits the insertion of mail and precludes access of the hand to the space below the said posting and mail receiving trays when the wall 3b is locked stationary by the wall 3a, as in the instance shown.

The upward movement oi' the wall 5b is limited by the engagement of a bead on the end oi the wall 5b with a similar bead on the wall 3b. The tray 5 is connected with the `cover 2 by means of a yange 6 projecting 'from the wall 5EL of the tray 5 and secured to the cover in any suitable manner. yIt will thus be seen that when the cover is raised the tray 5 is carried with it and is moved to position to receive letters or packages, and when the cover is lowered such letters or packages will drop down into the main receptac e.

The entire device is preferably made of sheet metal and both the box and cover are reinforced at their edges by overlapping the metal. A suitable signal can be provided, as shown, for indicating whether the carrier has left mail or whether he is to stop to collect mail. The walls of the supplementary receptacle 3 are normally locked in closed position and are adapted to receive the mail matter to be collected by the carrier. In delivering mail the carrier lifts the lid 2 and drops the mail into the tray 5. He then closes the lid, whereupon the mail drops into the bottom of the main receptacle where it cannot be removed except by unlocking and raising the wall 3a of the receptacle 3.

What I claim, is:

1. In a mail box, the combination with the main receptacle, of a tray pivoted at one side 'of the interior of the box, a wall in the interior of the box, past and in proximity to one face of which the open side of said tray operates to permit insertion of mail matter and to preclude access of the hand to the box below said tray, a movable cover within the main receptacle at the opposite side of said wall, and means whereby said cover may be locked closed.

2. In a mailbox, the combination with the main receptacle and exterior lid pivoted thereto, of a tray pivoted at one side of the interior of the box and connected to said lid, a wall in the interior of the box, past and in proximity to one face oi` which the open side of said tray operates to permit insertion of mail matter and to preclude access of the hand to the box below said tray, a movable cover within the main receptacle at the opposite side of said wall, and means whereby said cover may be locked closed.

3. In a mail box, the combination with the box, of a cover, a mail receiving tray distinct from the cover but connected thereto so as to swing therewith, and a posting tray pivoted to the box independently of the cover and the receiving tray and adapted to be engaged by the latter.

4. In a mail box, the combination with the main receptacle, of a tray pivoted at one side of the interior of the box, a movable wall in the interior of the box, past and in proximity to one Jface of which the open side of said tray operates to permit insertion of mail matter and to preclude access of the hand to the box below said tray, a cover within the main receptacle at the opposite side of said wall, and means whereby said wall may be locked from movement.

5. In a mail box, the combination with the box, of a cover, a posting tray pivoted in the box and havinga stop, a mail receiving tray connected with the cover so as to be swung thereby and adapted to engage the stop.

6. In a mail box, the combination with the main receptacle, of a tray pivoted at one side of the interior of the box, a movable wall in the interior of the box, past and in proximity to one face of which the open side of said tray operates to permit insertion of mail matter and to preclude access of the hand to the box below said tray, a cover fixed to said wall at the side thereof o posite said tray, and means whereby said cover may be locked closed.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CHESTER x. HANN.

Witnesses:

S. A. SCHLEY, M. B. SOHLEY. 

